When it comes to spearfishing equipment, a snorkel is fundamental. No wonder it gets its fair share of attention: once you get to use a comfortable one, a bad one seems intolerable.
Finding a comfortable snorkel is no impossible feat. Yet, to make things a little easier, we brought you this list. Through it, you can check out the best spearfishing snorkel available today! Let’s jump in!
Here’s a quick list of our top picks:
The Top Five Spearfishing Snorkels
It’s true that every person has their own preferences, which is why we made sure that the selections should be varied enough. In this list, you’re going to read about some of our top contenders. Like it or not, you’re bound to find something here to consider.
1. Kraken Aquatics Freediving Snorkel
Some will tell you the more simple, the better. It’s a pretty good point. Luckily for you, this rugged snorkel is the height of simplicity.
This simplicity is particularly emphasized in its straightforward design. However, it’s a bit curvier than we’d like.
Remember: an exaggerated curve sometimes can’t be adequately held above water. Yet, this doesn’t seem to be a problem commonly faced with this snorkel. In fact, it’s an excellent option if you want something suitable for both spearfishing and freediving.
It’s also ultra-compact and easy to store. This is mainly due to the soft silicone, which makes it easy to roll. So it’s not only practical for its reasonable price, but also because it’s space-friendly.
Pros
- Soft mouthpiece
- Compact and storage-friendly
- Sturdy
- Has no purge valves; requires little to no maintenance
Cons
- It doesn’t maintain the airflow as well as a rigid snorkel
2. SEAC Jet Snorkel
This contoured snorkel has a J-shape that’s not too exaggerated and yet not too straight. It sits somewhere in the middle, which makes it almost ideal for deep spearfishing.
Made of PVC, it’s durable yet flexible. This flexibility shines when the snorkel is hit against sea objects. As you’ll see, it retains its original shape after bending. After all, it has excellent shape memory.
Mouthpieces are important. They can’t be too short, and they can’t be too long. They also need to have a comfortable fit, since you’ll be spending a long time in the water. This snorkel understands that, which is why its silicone mouthpiece boasts an ergonomic fit.
Pros
- Affordable
- Strong snorkel keeper
- Has no drain valves
Cons
- May drag in the water a little
3. Freediving Foldable Snorkel
You may call this a “pocket” snorkel, as the breathing tube can be rolled up for storage. Yet, rolling the tube won’t affect it. This snorkel is extremely flexible, which means that it’ll always return to its original shape after bending.
One great thing about this inexpensive snorkel is the silicone mouthpiece. It’s designed to maintain a comfortable fit and avoid jaw fatigue. Spearfishing for hours won’t be a problem.
You should also keep in mind that this isn’t a dry snorkel. It’s open-ended, so it’s ideal for ventilation.
Pros
- Comfortable mouthpiece
- Compact
- Durable
Cons
- Some water can get in the snorkel
4. Westcoast Straighthookers Basic Black Silicone Spearfishing Snorkel
This is another simple snorkel. The J-shape design is basic and practical, with no purge valves or any gimmicky sections.
It’s also quite soft. The mouthpiece isn’t uncomfortable either. It’s easy to bend, but it also has good shape memory. At less than 4.8 oz, it’s definitely lightweight. For sure, this is a compact snorkel.
If you’re looking for something rugged and reliable, this snorkel will remind you to appreciate simplicity again.
Pros
- Affordable
- Practical
- Comfortable mouthpiece
Cons
- May seem a little flimsy
5. Cressi Corsica Flexible Rubber Snorkel
Light and comfortable, this snorkel might be a good match for you. The ergonomic J-shaped tube isn’t only efficient, but it’s also durable.
Besides being budget-friendly, it’s also flexible and soft. It can be even folded and easily stored. More than that, the snorkel’s tube has a large diameter. This allows for better breathing.
If you’re planning on using your snorkel for long hours, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the mouthpiece. Made of silicone, this hypoallergenic mouthpiece is extremely comfortable.
Pros
- Easy to store
- Soft, comfortable mouthpiece
- No unnecessary drain valves
- Practical
Cons
- The snorkel keeper’s clip isn’t quite secure
How to Buy the Right Spearfishing Snorkel?
With most purchases, you need to first pinpoint your needs and preferences. Spearfishing snorkels are no different. After all, if you want to be Jay Riffe, then you certainly need to know how to pick the right spearfishing snorkel.
Flexible or Contoured?
With a contoured snorkel, the mouthpiece will firmly stay fixed in your mouth. In comparison, the bottom part of a flexible snorkel is straight.
This means that you have to flex the mouthpiece to put it in your mouth. As a result, the tube straightens, pulling on the mouthpiece. This causes the user to exert a small amount of effort to keep the mouthpiece intact.
Since they need to suck on regulators, flexible snorkels are ideal for scuba divers. However, they can be also hard to work with for regular users. Instead, try to opt for a contoured snorkel with a moderate curve.
Dry or Open-Ended Snorkel?
When we say “dry snorkels,” we mean snorkels that don’t let the water in through the top part. While some snorkels successfully manage to lock water out, others fall short on their promise. Yet, whichever way they perform, they share a big disadvantage: the mass at the top.
To stop water from coming through the top part, a lot of snorkels have a sizable mass located at the top of the snorkel. You can feel its presence when swimming, particularly because it creates drag when you’re trying to dive.
This renders dry snorkels in general with disadvantages. They’re often heavy or restrictive of the airflow. To overcome these issues, it’s best to forgo the option of a dry snorkel. Instead, you should consider buying a snorkel with an open-ended tube.
With an open-ended tube, your breathing controls the amount of water entering your snorkel. If you’re experienced, you’ll know when to exhale. That’s when the water is about to slip into the snorkel.
Purge Valve, or No Purge Valve?
When it concerns purge valves, snorkels vary. Some may seem a little bit bulky, white others might seem relatively thin. However, the noticeably bulkier ones add weighty mass to the snorkel. This, much like the mass at the top of a dry snorkel, creates drag and overall inconvenience for the user.
“What about streamlined purge systems?” Well, we found that they don’t work that well with a lot of people. Instead of pushing water out when you exhale, they can allow air to escape. This leaves little air in the snorkel (this air is supposed to help push water out!)
On top of that, many do find that purge systems are only effective if the snorkel is brand new, after a while, they start to malfunction. This leaves us with a very simple solution: an open-ended contoured snorkel with no purge valve.
Conclusion
Still looking for the best spearfishing snorkel? We’d say that the Kraken Aquatics Freediving Snorkel is seriously worthy of your consideration. It’s compact, practical, and sturdy. It also has no purge valves, so it requires little to no maintenance.
Another excellent option is Freediving Foldable Snorkel. It has an open-ended tube, so you don’t have to worry about drag. The mouthpiece also provides a comfortable fit. You don’t have to worry about space either since it’s quite compact.